Thompson Falls PD adds Scott to staff
Last week, Thompson Falls Police Chief Chris Nichols welcomed Deputy Roy Scott back to the department as a short-term worker.
Scott still works full time for the Sanders County Sheriff’s Office, but is now also helping the Thompson Falls Police Department in a “part-time” position.
Nichols said he was really excited to have Scott back to help the department a few each month.
“Deputy Scott will be known as our community decay officer. He will help us and the community by taking on those cases regarding city decay issues,” said Nichols.
Nichols had put forth a proposal to Thompson Falls City Council just a few months ago requesting the ability to hire a fill-in officer or short-term worker.
The five-page proposal was accepted by the Thompson Falls City Council, which is also funding the program at the city level.
Nichols said that with the logistics of case loads that his full-time officers and himself are involved in on a daily basis, having a short-term or fill-in officer would help serve the community a lot better with the time it allows the department to cover a range of concerns and issues within the small community.
ONE OF the requirements for obtaining the position is that the officer would have to be qualified before starting.
“Recruitment of fill-in officers will be limited to law enforcement professionals that have previously obtained and hold a POST Basic LEO certificate or hold an equivalent certificate from another state and have the ability to obtain a Montana POST basic certificate through a MLEA approved legal equivalency course,” explained Nichols.
He added that the fill-in officer would not be replacing any already full-time officer on staff, nor was he losing any officers. Rather, the fill-in or short-term working officers may be used to limit the overtime compensation or patrol coverage gaps when permanent status officers are assigned specialized duties and investigations.
He also said that it can be helpful for when an officer may be sick or on leave to have limit the gaps those circumstances would have.
Nonetheless, Nichols said he was excited to have Scott back with the TFPD — even in the short-term worker status.
“Roy has a great relationship with the city as a whole and understands what is going on here. He gets along with many people and has a true love for law enforcement no matter what the ‘job’ is,” said Nichols.
“As the community decay officer, Roy will be able to directly help those within the community with regards to any decay issues. He will be able to help them and help figure out the best ways for our citizens to become compliant with a regulations.”
“When I was approached about becoming the community decay ordinance officer I gladly accepted. It is a position that would take to much time from a full time officers normal duties. I will also be working Patrol part time helping to add a little extra coverage,” sadi Scott of his new position with TFPD.
Scott also said he was excited to be helping out the local department and was looking forward to continueing to serve his community in more ways than one.
Scott has now officially been welcomed back to the TFPD by both Mayor Mark Sheets and Nichols in a new capacity ready to help locals where he can.